Life has become mundane for Rika (Rie Miyazawa). Her bank uniform hides her slender but womanly figure. She is considered attractive to most but there’s sadness in her face that diminishes it. Her husband seems more concerned with work than her. She has her head down most of the time, that’s why when someone called out her name in the subway she didn’t hear it at first. It was Kota (Sosuke Ikematsu) a college student who told her he was the grandson of her client she made a house call to.

She didn’t give it a second thought, thinking he was just greeting her. As she went down the steps, she realized he was following her. What was she feeling? Was she scared? She lost him when she got on the train. The next day he saw her again across the platform, the opposite way of where she was going. A train whizzes by between them and she’s gone. Kota was disappointed. When he turns around he sees her approaching him. They stood together face to face in the train. They go into a motel room. She suddenly changes her mind and tries to walk out the door. Without warning he grabs her.

PALE MOON is one of many films you can watch for free at this year’s EIGA SAI Film festival running from July 7 to 17, 2016 at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza Mall. Make sure to check screening schedules and arrive early as tickets are on a first come first served basis. This fest marks the 60 Years of Philippines-Japan Friendship and (JFM) Japan Foundation Manila’s 20th Anniversary. JFM is the film festival’s main organizer.

This year EIGA SAI has allied with CINEMALAYA and will have a screenings at the CCP on (July 8, August 6, 9, 10 and 12). On July 8, there will be a one-time special screening of Director Harada’s film: THE EMPEROR IN AUGUST at the CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino. It includes a Director’s Talk, where Masato Harada shares his experience and knowledge about the art and his career in filmmaking. His second Director’s Talk, focusing on the making of KAKEKOMI, will be held at the Shang Cineplex Cinema 2 on July 9.

PALE MOON is based on bestselling novel PAPER MOON by Kakuta Mitsuyo. On the surface it seems like a typical melodrama about morality. But it is far more than that, there are a lot of layers and alludes to the role of women and what it means to be truly liberated from the expectations of society.

Rie Miyazawa plays main character Rika Umezawa, which won for her a Best Actress Award at the Tokyo Intl Film fest and the 38th Japan Academy Awards. The film also won Audience Choice for director Daihachi Yoshida in TIFF. The Best Actress award is one of many for Miyazawa she’s won for TWILIGHT SAMURAI, which was nominated as Best Foreign Language film at the Oscars. She also earned Best Actress in Moscow International Film Fest for Hong Kong produced PEONY PAVILLON. Rie started off as a model to become one of Japan’s most respected and admired actresses.

Rie Miyazawa plays Rika. Rie was a famous model and endorser before she became one of Japan’s most admired actresses. Watch PALE MOON and many others for free at the EIGA SAI film fest from July 7 to 17, 2016 at Shang Cineplex, Shang Rila Plaza Mall.

Her character here in PALE MOON seems meek but discovers an inner strength to break the rules. Soon after starting an extra marital affair she begins to pinch an amount here and there in her job at the bank. She takes advantage of clerical mistakes of a co-worker and is soon emboldened. From small gifts of expensive watches for her young lover it grows more and more. There are the luxurious getaways in 5 star hotels, Apple Macintosh computer and even a luxury car.

Spending on her lover however is only an excuse. There’s a desire in her to break conventions for her perceived higher purpose. This started during her days as a child in Catholic school. There was this seed of wanting to be free from rules as opposed to stealing money for material needs. She becomes addicted to the freedom of choice that money affords her, even though she knows it’s fleeting.

Jude Thaddeus Bautista

I'm a professional writer and photographer for over a decade. The subjects that I cover vary from entertainment to film, music, travel, lifestyle and even sports. Stories and pictures can come from anywhere, this is my way of sharing them with you.

Yes we have to do something while there's still time renxkyoko. We must tell our kababayan, through our blogs, social media why its wrong to vote for him, using reason, logic, common sense. Thank you for your comment.

Thank you so much for commenting renxkyoko ! I'm shocked, afraid and horrifed too with the prospect of him being our president that's why i thought of writing this article. what's unbelievable to me is the fact that NO ONE's calling him out on his lies. SO many people are now afraid to speak out against him. THIS IS SO scary. do you have […]

[…] for granted, not just by the youth but Filipinos in general. That’s why yearly events such as the PASINAYA where these activities come together are so important. Include Cinemalaya, Cinema One, Virgin […]

[…] for granted, not just by the youth but Filipinos in general. That’s why yearly events such as the PASINAYA where these activities come together are so important. Include Cinemalaya, Cinema One, Virgin […]

Our Lost Culture in 3 Stars And A Sun | Photos & Text by Jude Bautista

[…] for granted, not just by the youth but Filipinos in general. That’s why yearly events such as the PASINAYA where these activities come together are so important. Include Cinemalaya, Cinema One, Virgin […]

[…] for granted, not just by the youth but Filipinos in general. That’s why yearly events such as the PASINAYA where these activities come together are so important. Include Cinemalaya, Cinema One, Virgin […]

Our Lost Culture in 3 Stars And A Sun | Text and Photos by Jude Bautista